KEYS TO RECOVERY:

1) Be more dominant on both sides of the line- rush the quarterback and give Cedric Benson room to run

2) Field position- improvement needed on kickoff returns and moving the chains

3) Minimize mistakes (eliminate turnovers and big plays from Patriots)

3rd Quarter: The worst possible start to the second half commences as Tate returns the opening kick 97 yards for a touchdown, putting New England up 31-3. He was untouched.

The Patriots play a noticeably softer defense, allowing Cincinnati to move the ball consistently downfield for the first time in the game. A 12-play, 80-yard drive is capped by Jermaine Gresham's first career NFL touchdown reception from 1 yard out. The score is now 31-10.

With a 21-point deficit, there is no margin for error, and the Bengals force a punt after a big holding penalty on New England negates a first-down reception by Alge Crumpler.

With 2:30 left in the third, the Bengals face 3rd and 5 on the New England 40 in an obvious 4-down situation. A mental error by Ochocinco on a reception causes him to be tackled short of the first down marker, but the offense converts a 4th and 1 to continue the drive. The following play, Ochocinco makes up for his mistake earlier by catching a 28-yard toss from Palmer for a touchdown, his 63rd with the Bengals. With less than a minute remaining in the quarter, the Bengals are within two scores of New England. The quarter closes at 31-17 Patriots.

4th Quarter: The ensuing kickoff lands the Patriots inside their own twenty, with the momentum evidently in Cincinnati's corner. But two big third conversions help New England sustain a 7-minute scoring drive ending in Tom Brady's third touchdown of the game. With the score now 38-17, the game seems out of reach for Marvin Lewis' squad.

The Bengals fight back despite poor play from the offensive line, and Cedric Benson scores his first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard run with 4 minutes left. The onside kick attempt fails to go 10 yards and the Patriots take over in Bengals territory. The clock runs out on them.

FINAL SCORE: New England 38, Cincinnati 24.